Ora Pro Nobis

Today, Mom had her first physical therapy session, and did not like it at all.  She complained that she wanted to stop, but the therapist told her 'yes, after you finish your exercises and occupational therapy'.  Part of the problem is physical:  Mom let herself get very out of shape, and lost all mobility during the two hospitalizations.  Learning to use her leg muscles, and arms riddled with bruises from IV lines must be very painful.

But, there is another component:  'The word 'must' is not to be used to Princes".  Mom  is not used to having people tell her what to do.  Ginny and I nagged her to do her exercises, and she ignored us.  Now, at the Rehab Center, Mom has no choice:  she must do her exercises.  She is a very strong willed Lady and does not enjoy taking orders.  She called the two women PT's " obnoxious cheerleaders".

I do wish Mom was not so depressed and confused.  Part of it has to be the medication, and I want to make contact with her Dr. tomorrow, asking if she's being overmedicated.  I think the Keppra, for her 'episode' Thursday is adding to her depression, and I do not know if she really needs it.  This is the same hospital that sent her home with a prescription for Plavix when both her cardiologist and internist had both said it was not necessary.

And don't get me going on the "HIPPA" regulations, which I think should be called 'HIPPO' because they make consultation with other doctors a slow, lumbering process.  Last week, I told all the Doctors on Mom's case that her Neurologist was in the hospital and we wanted him to examine her.  It never happened because I did not ask the doctor who was covering for Dr. X, her admitting physician.    Surely, it can't be the intent of the HIPPA legislators that communcation between doctors should be more difficult than getting an interview with JD Salinger.